PdaNet+ is software you can use to set up Wi-Fi hotspots on multiple devices and connect others to them. It works on Android, Windows, and macOS.
But creating Wi-Fi hotspots isn’t the only thing you can do with PdaNet+. You can create a USB tether directly to your PC and even change the Wi-Fi name and password. The app also receives regular updates, which ensures smooth functioning.
However, PdaNet+ isn’t entirely free. While you can use the free version on multiple devices, it has limited features. The app can also be complicated for non-technical users as it sometimes requires sophisticated setups.
Fortunately, PdaNet+ isn’t the only app you can use to set up and control internet hotspots. There are other PdaNet+ alternatives you can use. In fact, I have listed some of them below.
Take a look.
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Top PdaNet+ Alternatives You Can Try
1. NetShare Wi-Fi Hotspot
You can create a Wi-Fi hotspot and share that with multiple devices around through the NetShare Wi-Fi Hotspot app. The app is easy to use, is free, and doesn’t require you to root your devices.
But the one area where NetShare Wi-Fi Hotspot beats PdaNet+ is that it is compatible with more devices. NetShare works with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, PS4, and Android Proxy.
You can find detailed instructions on how to install it on the advanced devices on the website. Android appears to be the only platform with a direct installation option.
With this, you have a wider range as far as setting up secure Wi-Fi hotspots. The fact that you can run it on portable devices means you can have your internet with you everywhere you go.
Another standout aspect of the app is that it’s not big. The Android version is less than 50 MBs, so you won’t have to worry about space or your RAM being throttled.
NetShare Wi-Fi Hotspot also has a friendly user interface. It’s not too technical, and even a first-time user can find their way around without help.
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2. EasyTether
It’s easy to dismiss EasyTether the moment you open the website due to how simple it is. But don’t let looks fool you. The app is one of the most reliable hotspot tethering apps you’ll ever come across online.
While it has a free version, it’s just as limited in features and functionalities as PdaNet+. But if you want to unlock more, then EasyTether will cost you a one-time fee of $9.99.
When it comes to functionality, EasyTether provides a set of tools. You can tweak the app to suit your exact needs. Notable features you can use include USB and Bluetooth tethering on Windows. It works with past editions going as far back as Vista and XP.
However, the setup process is more complex than a majority of other alternatives here. For instance, you still need to download and install drivers for your PC for it to work. So, first-time users may struggle a little.
EasyTether isn’t available for iOS, but it works with Android and is also available on Amazon for carriers like Sprint and Virgin Mobile.
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3. Connectify Hotspot
Connectify Hotspot is one of the most advanced options on our list, and it is packed with amazing features. Right from the start, it has the most aesthetically designed website here, with clear descriptions of each feature.
But unlike other substitutes, Connectify is designed for Windows. It converts your PC into a hotspot with a simple tap of some buttons, saving you from complicated configurations.
The thing that gives Connectify an edge over PdaNet+ is its ad-blocking capabilities. You don’t have to deal with annoying pop-up ads like the free versions.
The platform also supports over ten languages, including Chinese. However, all these fantastic features come at a price. There is the 3x Hotspot Max plan that costs $69.97.
Then you also get the Hotspot Max at $58.33, and finally, the Hotspot PRO at $34.99. All of them are lifetime plans and offer value for the money.
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4. Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot
Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot is a free app that lets you create password-protected hotspots using your smartphone. It’s the kind of app you need if you’re traveling and need to access the internet through your computer.
You can set any password to your network, making it a safer bet than unsecured public hotspots. There’s also an option for renaming the Wi-Fi hotspot to anything you want as many times as you need.
Portable Wi-Fi is much easier to use and navigate around than PdaNet+. And while it only offers an Android app, it can be set up to provide internet for any device.
There’s also no need to add third-party apps or handle sophisticated settings. All it takes are single button taps to get things rolling.
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5. Wifi Hotspot Portable
If you are looking for an app that lets you create random hotspots anywhere, then try Wifi Hotspot Portable. It is a lightweight app when it comes to data consumption. So you don’t have to worry about running out of bandwidth.
Unlike PdaNet+, it works with a wider range of mobile signals. You can set up a hotspot using 5G, 4G, 3G, and even GPGS. Additionally, the speeds are mostly good, and you may even experience a speed boost from time to time.
Other things you can do with the app include changing your Wi-Fi hotspot name or setting up the password. There are two password modes, WP2 and WPA, both of which provide secure connections for your devices.
Some of the devices you can connect to the hotspot include PCs, tablets, and other smartphones. Wifi Hotspot Portable is available on Android and has over a million downloads, proof that it works just fine.
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6. MyPublicWiFi
MyPublicWiFi is an easy-to-use program that turns your PC, tablet, or laptop into a multipurpose Wi-Fi wireless access point. Anyone in the vicinity can use your connection to browse the internet with the tool if you allow them.
But what sets MyPublicWiFi apart from PdaNet+ is that it comes with a built-in firewall. It not only helps keep your connections safe but lets you control the sites that can be opened. You can block risky sites to keep yourself safe.
Another helpful feature is MyPublicWiFi’s capability to transform your PC into an ad-blocking router. The feature is a great approach to improving user privacy and preserving internet bandwidth, especially when using mobile data.
Additionally, the program comes with a Bandwidth Manager that lets you control upload and download speeds for hotspot devices. At the moment, MyPublicWiFi is only available for Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. You can download all the versions right here.
7. Auto WiFi Tethering
Auto WiFi Tethering makes activating and deactivating hotspots a breeze for most smartphone users. While PdaNet+ and most of the options on the list need configurations, Auto WiFi Tethering automates everything with one button.
In fact, the app comes with a widget that you can save on your home screen for easy access. With a single tap, you can activate the hotspots and share them with nearby devices, then shut them off again.
But the feature that impressed me the most is how it automatically switches itself off. It happens when the phone detects familiar Wi-Fi networks that you regularly use.
That’s a very important feature for heavy internet users. It saves your mobile data from being depleted accidentally because you forgot to deactivate the hotspot. No other alternative on this list offers anything close.
Auto WiFi Tethering is free and available on Android only.
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8. Mobile Hotspot
When it comes to style, no app beats Mobile Hotspot. It has the most attractive user interface that combines pink and orange gradients. But it’s the icons and the way they’re designed and placed on the screen that stand out the most.
But how does it measure up to PdaNet+ when it comes to creating secure hotspots? Well, for starters, Mobile Hotspot is free, and that explains why it has over one million downloads so far. It’s also very easy to use.
All the functional buttons are clearly labeled and are very responsive. All it takes to activate a feature is a single tap of the finger.
One of the controls Mobile Hotspot gives you is the ability to name your Wi-Fi and set the password. You can also set up a timer that switches off the hotspot automatically.
That can help you conserve your mobile data when streaming, for example. Furthermore, you can set a data limit, too.
Mobile Hotspot even comes with an internal speed test. You can use this to know which device is taking up too much bandwidth, helping you manage everything. But the icing on the cake is the ability to see all the devices connected to your hotspot. That lets you decide which devices to disconnect.
Mobile Hotspot is available on Android only.
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9. Wifi Connection Mobile Hotspot
The Wifi Connection Mobile Hotspot operates under the same principles used by PdaNet+ but is different in design and features.
The user interface is clean and easy to use. It’s not as colorful as some other options, but you can access what you need quickly. But unlike the rest, Wifi Connection Mobile Hotspot does more than just set up a hotspot.
You can find and connect to other hotspots around you with ease. At the same time, it improves your connection quality, especially when you use mobile data in remote areas. Other things you can do with the app include setting passwords and changing Wi-Fi names.
Some of the devices you can connect to the hotspot include laptops, desktops, tablets, and other smartphones.
While you can connect an unlimited number of devices, know that the speeds will be affected the more the connections.
Wifi Connection Mobile Hotspot is available on Android.
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10. VPN Hotspot
Sharing a VPN-encrypted connection is very hard and requires sophisticated configurations. But VPN Hotspot makes that work easier by providing you with a quicker way to connect devices.
That alone makes it more useful than PdaNet+, which only works with devices that connect to regular internet traffic.
Another helpful thing about VPN Hotspot is that it can give you a way to bypass network firewalls.
For example, if you want to access a site that’s blocked, simply connect a different device to the hotspot. That way, even the network administrator won’t be able to see what you are up to.
As for the app itself, the user interface is one of the simplest on our list. It has a white background with a green stripe at the top. All the fonts used for labeling are clear and visible, even on the smallest screens.
VPN Hotspot is free and doesn’t require rooting. It’s supported on Android and can be downloaded directly from the Play Store.
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Wrapping Up
Each of these PdaNet+ alternatives comes with different features and capabilities that help you share the internet with other devices.
NetShare is the best free alternative as it works on multiple platforms and is less complicated to use.
Among premium options, Connectify Hotspot is the best, because of its advanced features. The tool is best suited for experienced users.
Whatever option you choose, ensure you set strong passwords to protect your connections.
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